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The Nature and Spatial Variability of Soil Properties Adjacent to Large Forest Eucalypts¹

ABSTRACT

Relationships in the spatial distribution of soil properties beneath a large, living flooded gum (Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden), a dead tree, and a windthrown tree were studied at a wet schlerophyll forest site near Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia. Spatial variation of the morphological horizons was recorded graphically by visual and photographic observations in radiating soil trenches excavated from the base of the live tree. Additional data were obtained from soil cores sampled on a 40-cm grid pattern over the face of the trenches, and from bulked soils from genetic horizons. Bulk density, soil moisture, pH, and the intensity of mottling and gleying in subsurface horizons were found to vary both vertically and laterally adjacent to the boles of both the live and dead trees and beneath the windthrow. These variations were interpreted as indicating the effect of the individual tree through the agencies of stemflow water, differential litter accumulation, and mechanical pressures. Counteracting the effects of these processes were the increasing pedoturbation of soil fauna, especially earthworms, away from the vicinity of the tree boles. Earthworm activity appeared to be inhibited in the solum in close proximity to the trees.

¹ Contribution from the Division of Soil Science, University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W., 2351, Australia.

² Former Graduate Student and Associate Professor and Head of the Division of Soil Science, University of New England, respectively. The Senior Author is presently at the College of Forest Resources, Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195.

Received for publication April 6, 1982. Accepted for publication December 14, 1982.